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    Category Biology/Biotechnology

    New Links between Heart Hormones, Obesity, and Diabetes

    February 17, 2016, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    Summary of NP action in the skeletal muscle in healthy individuals (A) and obese individuals with diabetes (B). NPs circulate in reduced concentrations in obese individuals with diabetes compared with the levels in healthy individuals. Furthermore, expression of NPRA, which binds NPs and activates intracellular signaling events, is reduced, while expression of NPRC, which clears NPs in tissues, is increased in obesity and T2D. In healthy individuals, generation of cGMP from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) by the guanylyl cyclase activity of NPRA activates a signaling pathway resulting in the phosphorylation (P) and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and the increased transcription of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor coactivator γ-1α (PGC1α). This is associated with mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidation of lipids, including the lipotoxic diacylglycerols (DAGs) and ceramides. In obese individuals, NP signaling from NPRA is attenuated, predisposing to DAG and ceramide accumulation in the muscle and thus IR, characterized by inhibition of insulin signaling via Akt and impaired glucose disposal.

    Summary of NP action in the skeletal muscle in healthy individuals (A) and obese individuals with diabetes (B). NPs circulate in reduced concentrations in obese individuals with diabetes compared with the levels in healthy individuals. Furthermore, expression of NPRA, which binds NPs and activates intracellular signaling events, is reduced, while expression of NPRC, which clears NPs in tissues, is increased in obesity and T2D. In healthy individuals, generation of cGMP from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) by the guanylyl cyclase activity of NPRA activates a signaling pathway resulting in the phosphorylation (P) and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and the increased transcription of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor coactivator γ-1α (PGC1α)...

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    New RNA letter regulates Gene Expression

    February 17, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    m1A occurs in GC-rich sequence contexts and in genes with structured 5′ UTRs.

    m1A occurs in GC-rich sequence contexts and in genes with structured 5′ UTRs.

    Discovery brings RNA to the fore of epigenetics. A new study finds that RNA, DNA template for protein translation, often appears with an extra letter – and this letter is the regulatory key for control of gene expression. The discovery offers insight into different RNA functions in cellular processes and contributions to the development of disease.

    “Epigenetics, the regulation of gene expression beyond the primary information encoded by DNA, was thought until recently to be mediated by modifications of proteins and DNA,” said Prof. Gidi Rechavi. “The new findings bring RNA to a central position in epigenetics.”

    The number of modified nucleotides (letters) in RNA is 10X larger than that of the letters found in D...

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    Researchers highlight Brain Region as ‘Ground 0’ of Alzheimer’s disease

    February 16, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    brain stem (2nd version)

    Blue indicates the location of the tiny locus coeruleus within the brainstem. (Photo/Shutterstock.com)

    The locus coeruleus region of the brain is essential for maintaining cognitive function as a person ages, but is vulnerable to toxins and infection. The locus coeruleus is a small, bluish part of the brainstem that releases norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating heart rate, attention, memory, and cognition. Its cells, or neurons, send branch-like axons throughout much of the brain and help regulate blood vessel activity. Its high interconnectedness may make it more susceptible to the effects of toxins and infections compared to other brain regions.

    Prof...

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    Microchip used to Build a 1st-ever Artificial Kidney

    February 15, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    An example of the microchip filter being used inside Fissell's artificial kidney. Credit: Vanderbilt University

    An example of the microchip filter being used inside Fissell’s artificial kidney. Credit: Vanderbilt University

    Nephrologists are making major progress on a first-of-its kind device to free kidney patients from dialysis. He is building an implantable artificial kidney with microchip filters and living kidney cells that will be powered by a patient’s own heart. “We are creating a bio-hybrid device that can mimic a kidney to remove enough waste products, salt and water to keep a patient off dialysis,” said Fissell. Fissell says the goal is to make it small enough, roughly the size of a soda can, to be implanted inside a patient’s body.

    “It’s called silicon nanotechnology. It uses the same processes that were developed by the microelectronics industry for computers,” said Fissell...

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